Paper Bows!

Bows and bows are everywhere!

How about we make some cute paper bows that you can decorate for Valentine's day or bridal showers or birthdays.

Grab yourself some 12 x 12" scrapbook paper and cut it into 4 6" pieces. 

This is the new 12 x 12" scrapbook double sided paper.

This Valentine paper is double sided and FREE right now if you make a purchase of $50 or more with Stampin UP!

 HERE is the link to the paper, be sure to order with my name,

you can purchase anything from either the annual catalog or the mini, 

just have to spend $50 for the free paper.  It's gorgeous so check it out! 

Cut the sheet into 4, 6" pieces. 

Take each square at a time and fold them diagonally 

each way so that you have what looks like a pyraimid. 

Take your scissors and cut up each fold to the center

being careful not to cut through. 

Take two opposite sides together and cut just a very small

little corner of the paper off at an angle. 

You can see left to right the little bit of paper

that we cut away.

At the bottom cut up each side to create just a little strip

in the middle. 

Using your glue gun glue each piece of the bow to the center of the bow. 

Here just three are glued down, do all four. 

They should look like above. 

Now take the tail and fold it backwards, then wrap the front of the bow with the tail and glue them down.

I ended up making many of the bows and attaching them

as a garland.  

I hung the bow banner along side of my paper poms, 

they look so cute together! 

Cute? helpful?  will you try them~?

Valentine Gnomes

Happy sunday!

Challenging you today to look through your christmas craft stash and see if there is anything you have on hand that you can up cycle and use for Valentine's day.

I found these left over "christmas" gnomes from classes I had over the holidays.  

I quickly decided they could be easily used for Valentine's day.

I got out the acrylic paints and while I was on the phone with work details I painted away.  

The little coffee cups I stamp on paper then glued them to

cardboard and cut them out. 

The hearts on the other gnomes are little wood hearts. 

Again, using ALL the left over things I have. 

Take a peek and see what you've got, you might surprise

yourself! 

Homemade Valentines

Who says we are too old for old fashioned handmade

Valentines?   Not me!

I showed about three years ago how to make these yarn hearts 

here on my blog so I thought I would make some pink ones this year,

(using up pink yarn I have on hand) to make some. 

I always have my cream ones out on display all year round and whenever someone new comes over they want to know where I got them.  Well,  you can make them!

So I decided to give them to the gals in my women's group for Valentine's day.

I got online and found this pretty angel image and printed it

out and stamped "nothing fancy just love" on it and cut around it.

I grabbed some 5 x 7" cello bags and added the made

yarn hearts and the little valentine.  

So sweet don't you think?

The pink yarn hearts all packaged up.

If you want to know how to make them

head over HERE on my blog for instructions. 

After I got the hearts all  "wrapped" I stamped a little tag

that reads "love" and used a vintage safety pin to attach

to the heart.  If you don't have a vintage safety pin then 

the gold or silver ones would look just as nice. 

Also,  I found this yarn at the Dollar Tree.

Big skein of it in many colors for $1.25

Such a steal! 

Sweet Potatoe bites

Looking for a tasty appetizer or smaller lunch idea?

You are going to love these sweet potatoe bites.

Recipe below

Start by cutting your sweet potatoes into 1/4" thickness

Brush you pan with olive oil and set the cut potatoes

onto the pan. 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

While it's heating up mix the chopped walnuts, dried cranberries,

spinach, honey, orange zest.  

Take some feta or goat cheese and add a dolop

on top potatoes

Now on top of that put a spoonful of the walnuts,etc.

Don't these look amazing!

Here's the recipe

I used goat cheese instead of the ricotta/blue cheese

Give them a try! 

Overnight Oats

Get ready for a super yummy brekkie recipe!

Have you every tried overnight oats?

This is a good one.

Grab a bowl, some plastic glasses, or disposable glasses

or mason jars to fill your oats into. 

Add all of the ingredients to the bowl and mix them with a spoon

and fill your cups with the oats and set in the frig overnight. 

I made some of mine with a tablespoon of  mini chocolate chips,

my husband wanted his with chocolate on top. 

These taste just like reesse's peanut butter cup! 

These are the ones I made for me that just have

a tablespoon of mini chocolate chips.

They are soo delish! 

Here is the recipe...

Love is in the air!

Take a look at this new embossing folder and the beauty is created!

I absolutely love the crisp look to the flowers on this Melon Mambo cardstock. 

Here it is up close,  love love love. 

I've used another retired stamp for the greeting.

I love to take a look through my retired stamps and use

the ones I have.

Keep an eye out for some more valentine's posts coming your way! 

Just gorgeous!

This is what it looks like and you can find it 

HERE  Layered Floral embosssing folder 

Diy aged vessel

Happy thursday!

This vessel caught my eye due to the size and style but really wanted it to be a darker color. 

Easy to fix!

Grab your acrylic paints and let's get started!

Depending on what color vessel you'd like you want to layer your colors.  Starting with the darkest first to the lightest. 

I am covering mine in a basic black acrylic with a sponge brush.

Now take a paper towel and choose your second color.

This one is a light brown.  

Lightly swipe some paint onto your waded paper towel and begin to 

blot the vessel.  I just keep going til I get the look I like.

If you feel like you have lightened it too much then add a little more black.  You really can't go wrong here.  

Just a lot of blending and layering. 

Almost covered.....

Completely covered. 

Now to add the third color which I chose a light taupe

that I continued to blot on the top of the brown. 

Let it dry and you're done! 

Here it is all done!

It's that easy to get that vintage distressed look just by using three acrylic colors of paint.  

These vessels you see at the stores such as Studio McGee and some of the interior design vessels can cost $$$!  

Take a walk through your local Goodwill or Value Village to find some vases, or garden vessels or any type pot that you can transform

inexpensively as well as creatively.

You can find some great sizes and styles at the thrifts stores.

Also look around your home and use what you have!

Remember, you can paint and change up to any colors!

Give it a try!